Jeff C.
Yelp
This is an expensive property to stay at, (but that's because we have an RV and haven't stayed in hotels in a while), but it is well worth it. I decided to treat my wife to a weekend away to Friday Harbor, a place she has been wanting to visit since we moved to the Seattle area in 1995. F.H.H. is a great place for a weekend, anniversary or just to use as a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card with your significant other. I had the advantage of finding this on an AmazonLocals deal, which included a three course dinner at 'the Bluffs', the properties restaurant.
Our room (number 25) was equipped with a 42" TV (only a few HD channels on cable, and they were in the 100+ range) and a DVD player. There wasn't a BluRay player, so bring and HDMI cable if you want to play your laptop to the TV. (Ironically, I did find an HDMI cable in a drawer 20 minutes before we left.) There is an iPod/Aux input clock radio, gas fireplace, jetted tub, dorm fridge and mini-coffee maker.
They have free WiFi with several ping tests averaging 768k down and 1.2M up on their cable modems. Pretty sad considering the Century Link central office is across the parking lot and they could get a 25Mbps+ DSL signal. Clearwire 4G is available for Sprint/Clear customers in town with 4M/1.5M average on Speedtest.net.
NOTE: Sprint had good service around the island, only roaming to VZW around the interior parts. My wifes T-Mo phone roamed to Canadian towers near British Camp, but I never noticed it on my AT&T work cell. But, as we all know, you don't come here to play with electronics, your come here to..... do other things.
The Bluffs Restaurant sits on the ground floor of the harborside building, and the food is 'Northwest, but with a Continental twist' as my wife put it. I agreed with her opinion that it could have been simpler, but remained just as elegant. From the servers comments, they change the menu every season, and the bar makes use of local distillers in some of their signature libations.
The morning breakfast buffet is good, and I can't say enough about the salmon smear for the bagels, but these are not 'New York Deli Style' bagels. They are home made, with a course and crunchy outer crust that I loved, but my New Jersey native wife found sacrilegious. Several of the chocolate chip scones will make their way to our room next time we come - they are AMAZING!
We found a bottle of champagne and three hand made truffles when we arrived in our room. Not sure if this is standard procedure, but they were a thoughtful touch and melt-in-your-mouth good. We stayed on the 2nd floor, and heard the folks above us stomping around, but not much else. The front desk staff is very friendly and really down to earth - I can't say enough about how helpful they are.
The property is within walking distance to almost everything in Friday Harbor. The Whale Museum is next door, and most restaurants, the grocery store and pharmacy are within a five minute walk.
There isn't anything bad to say about a weekend stay at Friday Harbor House, but I do have a few suggestions:
1) Microwave ovens - You have a fridge, why not something to nuke up your leftovers from the restaurant with?
2) Bath Sheets - It's great that you provide two robes in the room, but the towels barely wrap around my 6'3" 290lb frame. A luxury hotel can get some huge bath sheets and if you're afraid people will 'take them home', offer them for sale for $20- each.
3) Handrails - The weekend my wife and I were there, we were the youngest people we saw on site. It was our 24th Wedding Anniversary... If you're going to have those great whirlpool tubs, why not have some handrails drilled into the studs to make it easier to get in and out.
4) Water - The hot water is really hot and the cold water is reallly cold. Our shower had a very, very narrow handle range of comfortable water temps. My wife commented that, 'the water seems a bit hard, so if you have sensitive skin you may want extra body lotion'.
5) Safety Deposit Boxes - There are none. Also, bring some matches if your wife wants to light candles...
So, in closing, go and enjoy a long weekend with your honey at Friday Harbor House. You'll both love the amazing views, great food and chance to fan those romantic fires....